By Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan CEDAR RAPIDS – Ed Thornton captured national attention in 2014 when he faced a trespassing violation for gardening two vacant city lots behind his home. Now, more than four years after being ordered to remove the garden, which supplied his neighbors with a wide variety of fresh vegetables, Thornton will be […]
Indian Creek Nature Center teams with Ro...
The Indian Creek Nature Center this morning announced a collaboration with the Rodale Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to research and outreach in organic farming. Etzel Sugar Grove Farm, donated to the Nature Center, will transition to an organic operation and serve as the Midwest Organic Center, offering a training site, field days and other ways […]
Iowans advised to stay indoors as polar ...
The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning for Wednesday, Jan. 30, through Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, for Iowa and other Midwestern states. Near historic cold and life-threatening wind chills are expected over the entire area through Thursday morning, the Weather Service reported. “The coldest temperatures since 1996 combined with wind are expected […]
Iowan shot and killed while coyote hunti...
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported today than a Granville man died after being shot during a coyote hunt in northwest Iowa. Coyote hunting is legal year-round in Iowa. Read more about today’s announcement from the DNR: CLAY COUNTY, Iowa — On January 27, at approximately 11:15 a.m., Clay County Sheriff’s deputies, Iowa DNR […]
Dates announced for 2019 Downtown Farmer...
Apple and pumpkin lovers will appreciate a later date for the final Downtown Farmers Market of the 2019 season. The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance announced the dates for the coming season, including the popular Market After Dark, set for 6:30-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. Regular markets will be 7:30 a.m. to noon on […]
Practical Farmers of Iowa brings farmers...
AMES, Iowa – Seasoned and aspiring farmers learned how cover crops can protect Iowa’s soil and water, brainstormed ways to revive rural communities and explored dozens of other topics during the 2019 Practical Farmers of Iowa conference. About 800 participants from throughout Iowa and beyond braved a winter snowstorm to join in the “Cultivating Connections” […]
Iowa precipitation in 2018 second only t...
Recent weeks have seen little snowfall this winter in Iowa, but the past year saw nearly record-high precipitation totals. Related: Cedar Rapids marks 10-year flood anniversary Read on for more about 2018 precipitation and other weather-related information from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources: DES MOINES — In 2018, Iowa received 45 inches of rainfall […]
Shot fired at deer hits Iowan cleaning h...
UPDATE: Local 5 News caught up with shooting victim Janet Wright at her home. Watch the interview. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported today that a woman in rural Ottumwa, in southeast Iowa, suffered a gunshot wound to the back of her head while cleaning the stove in her kitchen. Learn more from the […]
Master Gardeners open registration for W...
CEDAR RAPIDS – Registration has opened for the 14th Annual Winter Gardening Fair, to be held Saturday, February 16, 2019, at Kirkwood Community College. Tuition is $59 for the all-day event, which features more than 40 workshops by Iowa Master Gardeners and other gardening experts. See photos from the 2018 Winter Gardening Fair Learn more […]
A look back at 2018 in photos
Iowa had its share of ups and downs in 2018. Take a look back at some of the highs and lows chronicled by Homegrown Iowan during the past year: Iowans braved the cold last winter to demonstrate in favor of common-sense gun laws. Advocates in Cedar Rapids also turned out to show their support for […]